Redline | L.Norris

four

The party was in full swing by the time Isla and Lando arrived at the lavish venue—a sleek, modern nightclub that pulsed with music and colored lights. As they stepped inside, the energy hit them like a wave, drowning out the lingering fatigue from the race. Lando nudged her playfully, "See? Not so bad, right?"

Isla couldn't help but smile. The atmosphere was electric. Before Isla could respond, a familiar face caught her eye. Max was chatting animatedly with Danny, their laughter rising above the music. She felt a flutter of relief at seeing her teammate. "There's Max," she said, motioning toward them.

"Lead the way, then," Lando replied, falling into step beside her. As they reached Max and Danny, both men turned with welcoming smiles. "Look who finally decided to join us!" Max exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I thought we'd lost you to the land of the sleeping."

"Not yet," Isla replied, her voice light. "Lando had to carry me here."

Danny laughed, clapping Lando on the back. "Good work! She needs to learn that F1 isn't just about racing; it's about celebrating too!"

"Tell that to my legs," Isla joked, feigning a wince as she leaned against a nearby table.

The four friends chatted animatedly, their laughter mixing with the pulsating music of the club. After a while, Lando excused himself, saying he would catch up later as he headed off toward Carlos. Danny nudged Isla, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Wanna go dance?"

Isla's gaze drifted toward the crowded dance floor, where bodies moved rhythmically under the flashing lights. She hesitated, her heart racing not from excitement, but from an overwhelming sense of dread. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy dancing; it was the thought of being touched, of being too close to strangers. After everything she had endured, she wasn't sure if she could face that kind of intimacy without spiraling back into the past she desperately wanted to escape. None of her friends knew the truth, and while she wanted to keep it buried, it felt like a secret just waiting to unravel.

Danny, blissfully unaware of her turmoil, had indulged in one too many drinks and was buzzing with energy. Max, however, was more attuned to Isla's unease. He noticed her breaths quickening and the way her hands fidgeted at her sides, a silent signal that something was wrong. Just as he prepared to intervene, Isla flashed a smile, one that danced on the edge of convincing. It made Max question whether he'd misread the situation.

"I think I'm going to pass on this one," she said, trying to sound lighthearted. "My body's exhausted from today, and I'm honestly surprised I've made it this long."

Danny nodded, his enthusiasm undeterred. "No worries! I'll find a willing dance partner," he said, glancing toward the lively crowd with a mischievous grin.

Isla looked at the time and saw she had made it a few hours. "It's a miracle I've made it this long without falling asleep at a table. I'm going to call it a night." Max studied her for a few beats and nodded his head. "We can ride back together."

"Sounds good," Isla replied, relieved that Max understood her need for space. As they made their way through the thrumming crowd, she felt a weight lifting slightly. The lights flickered overhead, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across their path.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Max asked, his tone gentle yet probing. "You don't have to pretend with me."

Isla paused, searching his expression for any hint of judgment. All she found was concern. "I'm fine, really," she insisted, forcing her smile to reach her eyes. "Just a little overwhelmed, I guess. It's been a long few weeks."

Max nodded slowly, but she could tell he wasn't entirely convinced. "We're all here for each other, you know? If you ever need to talk, I'm just a call away."

The sincerity in his voice made her heart swell with gratitude. "Thanks, Max. I appreciate it."

As they exited the club, the cool night air enveloped them, a stark contrast to the heat inside. The street was bustling with partygoers, laughter echoing around them. Isla breathed deeply, trying to shake off the remnants of anxiety still lingering in her chest.

"I'll drive," Max offered, taking the keys from his pocket. "I only had one drink when we first got here."

"That's surprising." Isla replied. Max shrugged his shoulders, not offering any other explanation. As they approached the car, she felt a sense of comfort wash over her. It was just her and Max, away from the noise and chaos.

Once inside, the familiar hum of the engine settled her nerves. As Max navigated the streets, they chatted about the race, the strategies that had worked, and the ones that hadn't. Isla felt her spirits lift with every laugh they shared.

"You know," Max said, his eyes focused on the road, "for a rookie, you kept your calm this weekend. I don't know many who have been able to do that. I nearly wrecked my first weekend out."

She appreciated his compliment, but the lingering thoughts of the night gnawed at her. She turned to look out the window, watching the streetlights flicker by. "Sometimes I wish I could do that off the track, too."

Max's gaze flickered toward her, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

Isla hesitated, unsure if she wanted to peel back the layers of her carefully constructed facade. "Just... life. You know how it is. There are moments when everything feels too loud, too overwhelming."

"Isla," Max said softly, "you don't have to carry that alone. You have a team behind you, and we all want to support each other, no matter what."

A lump formed in her throat. The truth felt like a weight pressing down on her chest. "I know, and I appreciate that more than you realize. It's just... hard sometimes."

Max pulled up to a red light, turning to face her. "You're stronger than you think. But you don't have to pretend to be strong all the time. Let us in, even just a little."

Isla looked at him, vulnerability flickering in her gaze. She wanted to share her burden but feared the fallout. Instead, she managed a soft smile. "Maybe one day."

"Just know I'm here," he said, and she believed him.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Max broke it. "So, should we get some late-night snacks? It's going to be a new tradition for us after a long day of racing."

Isla laughed, the tension easing. "Sure. As long as you don't tell either of our trainers."

As they drove off, the city lights glimmering around them, Isla felt a flicker of hope. Maybe one day she'd share her truth, but for now, sharing fries with a friend felt like a step in the right direction.